Through a lengthy community process, Staff recommended to the Board to maintain the two comprehensive high schools.  The Board took action at the February 24, 2015 board meeting to maintain two comprehensive high schools and modernize both sites using Measure I funds. 

At the February 24, 2015 Board meeting, given the Board action of maintaining two high schools, the Board directed staff to return to a future board meeting with options regarding the priority of projects to be included in the bond program. 

Staff is returning tonight with a proposed restructure of the bond program schedule of projects.

The bond financing approved at a prior board meeting authorized District staff to issue Series A of Measure I in the amount of $75,000,000.  Staff is now requesting the Board take action to increase that amount to $90,000,000 and issue Series A of Measure I in the increased amount.

The original board-approved bond program schedule focused K-8 and Charter Schools while the community conversation regarding the possibility of combining the two comprehensive high schools into one what in progress.  The revised Bond Program Schedule presented tonight addresses the original notion presented in May 2014 the AUSD focuses on the high schools first.

There are four attachments to the board item:

1.      Powerpoint presentation slides

2.      Board-approved Bond Program Phase I Project Schedule focusing on the K-8 and Charter Schools

3.      Board-approved Bond Program Phase I Project Schedule focusing on the K-8 and Charter Schools including the high schools projects to complete the Measure I Bond Program

4.      Draft proposal to include Alameda and Encinal High Schools along with the other high priority projects at the beginning of the bond program.

The two high schools have rough estimates of Alameda High School of $44M and Encinal High School of $39.5M.  The two together total approximately $83.5M.  Board action in June 2014, the Board set aside $90M toward the high schools.  Keeping in line with that amount, the Series A amount of $90M would be completely consumed by the high schools without any funds for any other high priority projects.

With the plan financing schedule of 2015 Series A $90M, 2017 Series B $29.08M, and 2019 Series C $60.385M, the District can anticipate approximately $30M in bond proceeds in the Spring of 2017.  With Series A funding, the District can set aside $60M for the high school projects, leaving $30M for other high priority projects.  Then, with 2017 Series B is issued, the funds used from Series A for other high priority projects used could be replaced with the remaining $60M from Series A providing the $90M for the two high schools per the Board action from June 2014.

The high priority projects to be included in the 2015 Series A $30M funds would include:

1.      Roofing and paving projects at selected sites (approved by the Board at a previous meeting)

2.      Safety and Security measures at all sites

3.      Technology and Communication improvements at all sites

4.      Lum Elementary School window replacement, heating system replacement and roofing repair

5.      Maya Lin replacement of windows and heating system

6.      Bay Farm site improvements, specifically the leveling of sidewalks and doorway thresholds.

The remaining high priority projects would be the beginning of the design and planning work on both high schools.  The planning and architectural design for both schools will take months of community and site meetings.  Upon completion of Board approval of plans, the Division of the State Architect (DSA) will take 6-8 months to review such extensive plans at both schools.  The goal would be that both schools would be planned, designed, and approved by DSA for construction to begin in Summer 2017, when the 2017 Series B funds are received by the District.

The remaining projects currently on the board-approved list of Measure I Bond Program Phase I would be delayed until the 2019 Series C funds are received, with the anticipation that most projects will be completed by 2021 or 2022.  The schedule of projects depends on the overall funding sources, timing of the receipt of funds, and available staffing to oversee such a number of comprehensive projects.

Schedules are approved at a certain period in time. As variables change, cost of projects either below, on, or above budget, and other unknown outside drivers impact the overall needs of the District, on occasion the needs of the schedule may change.  The proposed schedule places the two comprehensive high schools at the beginning of the overall Measure I Bond Program while still able to address the highest priorities in the District.